Earth Day is a great time to reflect on our everyday habits and learn about new ways to play our part in helping make sustainable practices increasingly commonplace. Below is a great infographic from Pennington Creative, and we especially like suggestion #6, "Buy local produce" —though we'd also ADD: "and packaged foods from small, regional businesses that use local produce, grains, dairy and meat."

Not only does buying from local and regional sources mean a smaller carbon footprint, it also means

This just in: April snow also brings May flowers!

Okay, we're all ready for warm weather, fresh air, and outdoor activities, right? Check out Kakookies for a healthy grab and go snack, Cameo at the Castle for a special meal when you're too busy to cook, and check in with a local farm if you think you had a tough winter!

Spring IS coming!

Days are getting longer, and farms all over the region are busy as they nurture seedlings and prepare for the soil to come alive again. Hands in the air if you've signed up for a CSA already!Spring is special in the Midwest— life 'springs' back even after a winter like this...Scroll down to read about a worthy crowdfunding PIE opportunity on this Pi Day, plus some other good things cooking, growing, and coming soon!

Take heart...there are just 33 days until spring!

Well, okay, that's just what the calendar says. But the good news is that all of this snow should be good for soil moisture, so good for farmers. Scroll down to read about some other good things for farmers: bees fostered by Bare Honey, farm-to-table champion Forager Brewery, nutrient-dense microgreens from My Sweet Greens MN, and economic development promoters, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. And if you need a jolt of spring, check out this countdown clock...

It's 2019...

Clearly, there's a lot of winter left to endure—and we hope you've filled your pantry and freezer with as much preserved local food goodness as you could. Are you full of hope for the new year, and plans to follow your resolutions? We'd like to suggest resolving to get to know more local growers —and also the local food businesses that source ingredients from them.It's our resolution to help you do that...speaking of which, here's a date to add to your brand new calendar:

It's the December issue of The Scoop!We're pleased to offer a special edition that wraps up the annual FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace, and also to wish you good connections to your foodmakers and growers in the new year.

The premiere issue of theFEAST! Local Foods Magazinehits stands Monday, Nov. 19 all around Rochester and beyond. If you can't find a copy in your co-op or grocery store, keep looking! (scroll down for a sneak peek!)

We appreciate you reading and sharing this newsletter—please get in touch if you have suggestions or questions about The Scoop or FEAST!

As harvest season winds down, remember the FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace is a source of local products we can enjoy year-round. Make sure you've got December 1st on your calendar for the FEAST! festival!

Have you heard about the new Artisan Plaza in Cannon Falls? It's just the latest and greatest way to celebrate the creative, sustainable and enterprising local businesses in the Cannon Falls area. And Harvest Fest on Saturday, September 29, 2018 is the perfect time to get acquainted!

From 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, they'll have the local farmers market vendors along with a handful of FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace vendors exhibiting produce and products, plus craft vendors and other great activities.